The Indian Super League clubs, except East Bengal, have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for an amendment to its new constitution before a new tender can be floated for the top-tier competition, which is currently undergoing considerable uncertainty.
With only three days left before the expiry of the AIFF’s 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Reliance-subsidiary FSDL on 8th December, the ISL clubs, frightened by the situation of losing their key source of income, have appealed to the AIFF seeking urgent action to find a solution.
FSDL’s profits since ISL was introduced in 2014 have helped most of the clubs to make a financial gain. But now, the failed tender process initiated by the Federation has reportedly disappointed the commercial partner. They have already expressed unwillingness to accept the contractual obligations set by the Federation through the issued tender.
As a aftermath, salaries have been stopped, and operations have been suspended temporarily. Despite the Union Sports Minister ‘s assurance for the league’s resumption, clubs fear that they are in an unsustainable situation and would have to take extreme steps should AIFF not inform the Supreme Court to bring out a remedy on or before 8th December.
Clubs have urged AIFF to approach the Union Sports Ministry seeking support towards an interim application that could be filed by 8th December, also drawing attention to the bid-evaluation report made by Justice L.N. Rao and KPMG’s observations that pointed to “constitutional and commercial constraints” over ownership, operational control, overall costs, and promotion and relegation in the tender document for no bids.
The clubs signed the letter where it has been written, ‘Should the revised tender not result in a suitable commercial partner, we respectfully request that the AIFF consider a framework under which the ISL Clubs may collectively form a consortium to own/operate the league (as majority owners), alongside the Federation and aligned commercial/broadcast/private investors. Such an approach is consistent with global best practices and reflective of the long-term commitment of the Clubs to Indian football.’
East Bengal was one of the two clubs that did not want to take responsibility to conduct the League this edition. The other club that supported East Bengal on the issue was Mohammedan Sporting.
“The AIFF shall also put in all possible effort as per our AIFF Constitution to ensure ISL gets a long-term sustainable model for growth and development of Indian football,” Federation secretary M. Satyanarayan has sent the reply mail to the clubs, it is learned.
